What evidence is there of a spiritual realm?

The Bible teaches the existence of an immaterial, spiritual reality, unseen by human eyes. The physical reality is evident for all to see—although some doubt the existence of a material universe, too! The Bible says that the spiritual realm consists of both good—God and the holy angels—and evil—the devil and his demons. Demons are most likely fallen angels who rebelled against God and were thrown out of heaven (see Ezekiel 28:11–17; Isaiah 14:12–15; Revelation 12:7–9). The Bible also teaches that humans were created by God in His image, which means we have a spiritual component (Genesis 1:27). We are more than physical entities; we possess a soul/spirit destined for eternity. Even though the spiritual realm is invisible to the physical eye, we are connected to it, and what goes on in the spiritual realm directly affects our physical world.

In our culture, the most commonly accepted form of evidence for proving the existence of something is empirical evidence, which involves using the scientific method of observation and experimentation. Is there empirical evidence for a spiritual realm? It doesn’t take much research before one realizes there is “evidence” both for and against the existence of a spiritual realm. It comes down to which studies one wants to believe.

The best, and most prevalent, evidence available proving that there is a spiritual realm is testimonial evidence. We can look at the sheer number of religions around the world and the billions of people who focus their lives on the spiritual realm. Is it likely that so many people would report encounters with the spiritual and it not be real?

The best testimonial evidence for a spiritual realm is the Bible itself. Historians, both Christian and non-Christian, agree that the historical authenticity of the Bible is strong. Jesus claimed to be God’s Son, the One who came down from heaven. He made this fact quite clear: “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world” (John 8:23). The Bible recounts numerous encounters that people had with the spiritual realm. Jesus cast demons out of people regularly, healed the sick by speaking to them, miraculously fed thousands of people, and spoke with people who should be dead: Moses and Elijah (Matthew 17:1–3). These are all indicators that the spiritual realm is real.

Good article. I think our conscience or mind is also a good indicator of the spiritual realm. It can’t be explained by non-moral properties. It exists in the metaphysical realm and can’t be empirically verified. Yet we know that the mind exists, that God created us with the ability to know right from wrong. This conscience, I believe, exists in the spiritual realm.

An excellent and meaningful conclusion of which I have never thought of. You make a great point chad. The conscious does act like a spiritual mirror; reflecting our actions (or spiritual lack of action). I agree this can only be placed into man through the forethought from God.

The Bible speaks on a “reprobate mind” and man being turned over to his evil ways. If man has a seared conscious – The seared conscience is referred to in 1 Timothy 4:2 where Paul talks about those whose consciences—their moral consciousness—have been literally “cauterized” or rendered insensitive in the same way the hide of an animal scarred with a branding iron becomes numb to further pain. For human beings, having one’s conscience seared is a result of continual, unrepentant sinning. Eventually, sin dulls the sense of moral right or wrong, and the unrepentant sinner becomes numb to the warnings of the conscience that God has placed within each of us to guide us (Romans 2:15).

A great point that you have raised. I do hope others will read your comment and understand what we have spoken here.

The spiritual realm is very real. In the Western world right now, we’re living in very materialistic times, so it is all about the physical and we tend to scoff at the idea of the spiritual. Up until recent history however, humans have always believed in the spiritual and actually pursued it, You might even say the desire is innately hardwired into us. Even today while denying our need for the spiritual, people are still driven to seek it. Unfortunately we have a lot of distractions that lead people to seek all the wrong things, but what amazes me is how we all have a persistent thirst anyway, no matter what the world tells us.

You are correct, insanity. Our materialism is a form of idolatry and self worship. And, it is a form of “secular humanism” taught in many of our schools and systems of higher education. The Bible, over two thousand years ago, speaks on this very subject. ‘we live in a fallen world and “the god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel” (2 Corinthians 4:4). As history moves forward, many will move further away from sound biblical doctrine, and unbelief spreads. “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons” (1Timothy 4:1). There are plenty of false teachers to keep the lost blinded and aid them in their flight from God (Matthew 24:10–11; 2 Timothy 4:3; 1 John 4:1). The sad truth is that most people do not see the Bible as the absolute authority anymore. As God’s Word continues to be marginalized, unbelief will continue to increase around the world.

I also believe you are right in your statement ” Even today while denying our need for the spiritual, people are still driven to seek it. Paul referred to religious belief systems that deny the truth of the gospel, the atonement for sins through the death of Jesus Christ on the cross, as “having a form of godliness but denying its power”—Timothy 3:1-5.
Unfortunately we have a lot of distractions that lead people to seek all the wrong things, but what amazes me is how we all have a persistent thirst anyway, no matter what the world tells us. I believe, like you, that people seek truth and they believe that they can find it in the humanities and self…… The word of God is the only truth…. and it can be found in the Word of God.